iMuslim.tv

Ijtema’s First-Ever Photo Contest!

// January 11th, 2008 // No Comments » // Blog

Titled: New Year, New Hope. Open to any Muslim who owns a camera! So get started, and pass the word on:

To start the new year with a bang, and as part of our drive to introduce more varied content onto Ijtema.net, we have decided to host our very first competition in the form of a photo contest, titled “New Year, New Hope“. Please head over to our Flickr group to read more about this exciting project, and register your interest: http://www.flickr.com/groups/ijtema-nynh/

Also visit Ijtema.net to find out more.

Lyrics that Sell

// January 2nd, 2008 // 11 Comments » // Blog

I'm feeling a certain affinity for the song lyrics accompaning a TV ad for a new car; UK readers will probably recognise it instantly:

Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beep,
go the horns in the cars in the street.
We walked away from the lover's leap.
Opposite directions,
synchronised feet.

Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait,
for the time it takes a heart to mend a break.
How many moons are reflected in the lake?
Can you wait forever,
if time is all it takes?

Despite all the warnings,
I landed like
a fallen star
in your arms.

Beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat, beat,
goes my heart on the side of my sleeve;
whispering something I can hardly believe:
“Let me take the lead,
cos love is all we need.”

An affinity for everything, except the last line, that is.

Can I Make You A Muslim?

// December 14th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

My latest offering for MuslimMatters.org:

Having spent an hour this evening repeatedly smacking my hand against my forehead whilst watching a documentary on some random American Doomsday cult, I found the same hand twitching slightly when, straight afterwards, I witnessed an advert for an upcoming Channel 4 production called: Make Me A Muslim. What is it with Channel 4 and quirky shows about religion? They obviously know what draws the punters in. Continue Reading..

Sister Sister

// November 24th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

I just published the second installment of the newly launched Nisaa podcast series.

In this episode I chat to sister Na'ima B Robert – editor of SISTERS magazine, and author of From My Sisters' Lips.

Check it out, and give me your lubly feedback at the Nisaa site. Jazakallah khair in advance.

Muslims on TV

// November 16th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Please head over to Muslim Matters to check out my latest contribution: Muslims on TV.

News, documentaries, drama and even comedy; it seems that TV producers cannot get enough of us these days. Programmes like “The Muslim Jesus“, and – dare i say it – “Little Mosque on the Prairie” have been a breath of fresh air in comparison to the mostly negative attention our community has been receiving, usually centered around the subject of war and terrorism. But don't the veterans of Hollywood swear by the catchphrase: “all publicity is good publicity”?

In contrast, it is clear from our reactions that the Muslim community much prefers the catchphrase: “no news is good news”. Like most ordinary folk, we don't wish to be subjected to the intrusive, and often distortive, camera lens of broadcast media. We just want to be left alone, to live our lives in peaceful obscurity…

Well, my fellow brothers and sisters… it's time to face facts. We've been put on a mission by Allāh – whether we accept it or not – to let the world know about Islam, in whatever way we can. And for this reason alone, we need to start getting media savvy, in order to turn all this free press to our advantage.

Continue reading…

Comments closed on this entry… you know the drill by now. ;)

Podcast Mania

// November 7th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

I feel a little hesistant to announce this here… but Shazia and I have teamed up to launch a new series of podcasts for Nisaa.ca, and we'd really like your feedback, so please check it out! I've closed comments on this entry, so please leave your thoughts over at Nisaa.

I think the shyness stems from the fact that a greater piece of the “real me” is now on offer to the “world”. My British accent aside, which some North Americans seem to like, i don't have much confidence in my talents as an interviewer! So I will try to brush up my skills for future podcasts, inshā’Allāh.

Less stuttering, less giggling, and more, erm… being normal? Not sure i can promise that though, as it may involve prescription medication…

Superiority Of Western Values

// October 4th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

This looks interesting:

Intelligence Squared Presents:

RELUCTANCE TO ASSERT SUPERIORITY OF WESTERN VALUES

Date: Tuesday 9th October 2007
Time: 6.30 pm – 8.30 pm
Venue: Royal Geographical Society, 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR

This month's debate will put discuss the statement: We should not be reluctant to assert the 'superiority' of Western values. As usual we will have a distinguished panel of guests who will speak 'for' or 'against' the motion.

For the motion: Douglas Murray, David Aaronovitch, Ibn Warraq
Against the motion: Tariq Ramadan, William Dalrymple, Charles Glass

The debate will be chaired by Edward Lucas and will be available by web-cast the following afternoon on our website. Tickets are £20 each. All welcome to participate.

For more information and bookings please contact:
Tel: 020 7494 3345
E-mail: info[at]intelligencesquared[dot]com
Website: www.intelligencesquared.com

Haven’t These Been Around For Ages?

// September 25th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

BBC News: Muslims try out digital Koran

Well, it's definitely not the worst Muslim-related story to find on the front page of the BBC News website – just a little out of date! Though i noticed that it did feature a fancy, new, colour version of the digital Qur'an… nice!

Islamic iPod

// September 19th, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog

Click here & Simply Islam will donate 10p on your behalf to charity – pass the word on!

When you get to the site, search for the AlFurqan iPod; an MP4 player with lots of goodies installed, māshā’Allāh. Only £99 at the mo, so it's cheaper than the Apple alternative (and it has a camera!).

Oh, while i'm here, if anyone was planning to get me an iPod Touch for ‘Īd (laughs), you can give the money to charity instead, cos i went the more sensible route, and bought the £15 USB/Firewire lead for my existing iPod. May Allāh reward me for not wasting my money (or yours), with an iPod Touch – in Jannah! Now that would be one sweet, Apple experience…

A reminder to please pray for me! Thesis deadline approaches. Jazakallah.

Erm… OK

// September 2nd, 2007 // No Comments » // Blog